Police Officer (Academy Graduate)

Job title: Police Officer (Academy Graduate)

Company: City of Salinas

Job description: The Salinas Police Department invites police academy graduates to apply. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with the desire to serve the Salinas community and be a part of a hard working team that is at the leading edge of law enforcement.
Required Documents

• P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Course certificate* or P.O.S.T. Requalification Course certificate. *Certificate must remain valid by appointment date.
• Applicants who submit a P.O.S.T. Requalification Course Certificate, must submit WSTB results from South Bay Regional. WSTB must be valid within 12 months prior to application. The Salinas Police Department will not accept WSTB results from other agencies.

Summary of Duties: Under direction, utilizes specialized training and equipment to protect life and property by enforcing laws and preventing crimes. In an assigned beat or assignment, responsibilities may include; patrolling in a police vehicle or on foot, responding to calls for service, conducting investigations, providing information and assistance to the public, preparing and participating in planned events, preparing for and attending court. Works closely with the community members to preserve the peace and promote public safety. Performs related special assignments or other related work as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Incumbents may enter the class either as a recruit, academy graduate or lateral status. Police recruits are entry-level positions with little or no related training or experience required. Recruits must complete a California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified basic law enforcement training academy prior to appointment to probationary status as a police officer. Academy graduates and lateral entry police officers are appointed to full probationary status at time of hire.

Essential Job Functions

Patrol Division Assignment * Operates a police vehicle, and/or walks a foot beat in patrolling an assigned area; operates a Mobile Computer Terminal, radio and assigned equipment.

• Promotes community policing by communicating with community members regarding potential problems in assigned area; explains laws, ordinances and their rights to residents, in resolving disputes; may attend community meetings and participate in community-based programs.
• Enforces state, local and federal laws and ordinances governing public safety; issues verbal warnings and citations.
• Responds to calls for service; resolves disputes; responds to accidents and renders first aid.
• Prepares and documents cases, completes reports, and may maintain other records as necessary.
• Coordinates crime scene control and conducts investigations, including search area for suspects or evidence. Investigations may include duties such as interviews, interrogations, identification of witnesses and victims, obtaining information from surveillance videos, computer data, records department, or other agencies.
• Pursues and apprehends suspects transports, supervises and assists in processing detainees and other individuals in custody.
• Participates in various in-service training, legislatively mandated and California P.O.S.T. mandated training.
• Collaborates and works with a wide range of internal departments and external agencies; provides reports, background checks, database inquiries, verification for lost or stolen items including missing persons (Department of Justice validation lists) and other orders or requests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Other Major Assignments * Learns and implements investigative techniques and procedures.

• May conduct criminal, traffic, narcotic and vice investigations within the Department’s various divisions.
• Develops leads, apprehends and arrests suspects in connection with felony and misdemeanor crime investigations.
• Collects and preserves evidence.
• Patrols high incidence crime areas, utilizing undercover tools and techniques.
• May perform related duties to support and enhance Community Oriented Policing.
• May operate a police motorcycle/enduro in the course of performing patrol duties.
• May perform the duties of a patrol officer in coordination with a trained canine partner, as part of the Department’s Canine Unit.
• Assists the Patrol Division as necessary and/or assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• City, State and federal laws, statutes, ordinances, and court decisions as pertinent to assigned duties.
• Police department policies, practices, regulations and procedures.
• Law enforcement and crime prevention principles, practices and techniques.
• Human behavioral theories, principles, methods and practices.
• Geographic layout and demographic characteristics of the City.
• Current methods and practices of criminal identification and investigation. Criminal law with particular emphasis on rules of apprehension, search, seizure, arrest and prosecution of persons.
• Narcotics investigation techniques.
• Departmental organization and the functions of the various Divisions.
• Community issues and concerns.
• Principles of community oriented policing.
• First Aid.

Skill in:

• Properly handling individuals exhibiting problem behavior, and situations presenting disorder and/or danger to self or others.
• Carrying out orders from supervisors and other senior officers.
• Working effectively with a variety of co workers and members of the public from a cross section of educational and socio cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrating physical ability and stamina appropriate to perform the duties of the position.
• Reading and interpreting complex technical documents, such as laws, ordinances and court decisions.
• Showing compassion and empathy towards others.
• Communicating verbally in a clear concise manner under stressful conditions.
• Writing clear and comprehensive reports.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to maintain physical and emotional conditioning to optimally perform in this position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, type, use telephone, two-way radio, computer, use and control of firearms; see well enough to drive vehicles, read small print on documents and maps, detect subtle shades of color; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone and two-way radio conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard at fifty feet of distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, reach overhead, climb over obstacles such as fences and walls while running in foot pursuit of a crime suspect; physical mobility sufficient to move in and out of a vehicle repeatedly, sprint from a stand-still; physical strength to carry 30 pounds of equipment on the body for period of at least ten hours per shift, occasionally lift more than 120 pounds, repetitively lift up to 100 pounds; physical stamina sufficient to sit and drive for prolonged periods of time, mental acuity and alertness to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw rapid valid conclusions, make rapid valid judgments and decisions. Other physical requirements as described in the P.O.S.T. Medical Screening Manual.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.

Veteran’s Preference: A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the and provide a copy of the DD-214 form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veteran’s preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service. Further details can be obtained from the Human Resources Department, at 831-758-7254.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Salinas employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Selection Process: Applicants’ qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, assessment center and/or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION. Finalist interview/assessment will be held with the City of Salinas.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Salinas does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Salinas makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the testing process must inform the Human Resources Director in writing no later than the final filing date stated in this job announcement. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process and/or to perform the duties of the job for which they have applied. EEO Utilization Report is available for candidate review upon request.

Salary Steps: The following applies for Full-Time Regular positions only. Appointments are normally made at the first step. Consideration is given for increase to the second step after successful completion of the probationary period. (Employees appointed at a higher step will be eligible for consideration for the next step after one year, providing they successfully complete a probationary period.)

Expected salary: $8026 – 10755 per month

Location: Salinas, CA

Job date: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 02:11:18 GMT

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